Cover story:

Facts

• 500 million people are infected with malaria.
• Every 30 seconds, a child dies of malaria.
• 33.2 million live with HIV/AIDS.
• In 2007, 72 percent of AIDS-related deaths occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
• People living in poverty are more likely to suffer from malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Source: U.N. Foundation and ELCA Global Mission.

Stamping out malaria & HIV

Peter Mayer played a benefit concert; Assembly offered overwhelming support

In an overwhelming show of support, the assembly voted 989-11 for the ELCA to continue developing the Lutheran Malaria Initiative in partnership with Lutheran World Relief, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the U.N. Foundation. Together, the partners hope to raise $75 million over five years to fight malaria.

Peter Mayer plays a benefit concert for the ELCA HIV/AIDS Strategy and the Lutheran Malaria Initiative. He also co-led a Bible study at the assembly. A member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, Tenn., Mayer is lead guitarist with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band and leads the Peter Mayer Group. He grew up in India where his parents were Lutheran missionaries.

Of a hoped-for $25 million from ELCA members and congregations, plans are for 30 percent to go to the Global Fund for AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, and for 70 percent to support ELCA-related malaria work through global mission, companion churches and LWR, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa — where the disease is most deadly.

Voting members rejected an amendment that would have also focused on countries outside of sub-Saharan Africa.

From now to 2011, Lutherans will use a $2.8-million grant from the U.N. Foundation to “develop resources, build awareness, launch pilot projects and engage major donors,” said Cynthia Halverson, executive for ELCA Development Services.

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